Right to Repair Coalition Surpasses 100,000 Signatures in Drive to Place Pro-Consumer Question on 2012 Ballot

Oct. 19, 2011, 11:07 a.m. EDT

Found om www.marketwatch.com and brought to you by Car Rapair Salinas

 

BOSTON, Oct 19, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Right to Repair Coalition today announced that it has collected 106,658 voter signatures after just 19 days of effort, well exceeding the 68,911 required for the pro-consumer initiative to appear on the 2012 ballot. A groundswell of support and enthusiasm from Massachusetts consumers has driven this issue forward in what could be record time for a signature gathering effort to reach 100,000-plus.

According to the Right to Repair Coalition, the Right to Repair voter initiative would, for the first time, allow consumers to access all of the non-proprietary repair information required to have their vehicles repaired where they choose, at a new car dealership or an independent shop. The proposed law would level the playing field between the big car manufacturers' dealerships and independent, neighborhood repair facilities, allowing the latter to finally be able to access the same non-proprietary automobile diagnostic and repair information that is currently only available to the manufacturers' dealers and their new car dealerships.

"It's time that car owners have the right to get our vehicles repaired wherever we choose," said Jeff McLeod of Marshfield, one of the signers of the ballot petition. "The growing support for this issue shows how important it is for consumers, especially in a difficult economy."

The proposed Right to Repair law would keep vehicle repairs affordable for consumers by ensuring competition among repair facilities. By leveling the playing field and increasing consumer choice, Right to Repair can save families an average of $300-$500 each year, according to an industry study. A recently released AAA Financial Automotive Repair Survey highlighted that many car owners can't afford to pay for their repairs, thus, often forgoing having them done. This creates a safety hazard for themselves and others on the road. Right to Repair would help alleviate their financial burden by increasing competition and allowing motorists to choose the less expensive repair.

Support for the ballot question continues to grow across the state as more car owners recognize that this law would directly benefit them by making it easier to access repair information electronically, increasing their safety and convenience in obtaining affordable repairs.

In addition to the rapid signature gathering, the Right to Repair coalition's Facebook page continues to grow daily and now has over 10,000 supporters.

The Right to Repair Coalition includes consumer advocates like AAA and more than 2,000 independent repair shops, small businesses and retailers in communities across Massachusetts.

SOURCE: Right to Repair Coalition

For Right to Repair Coalition  Art Kinsman, 781-635-6912